Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jun 7: US President Donald Trump on Friday made it clear he has no plans to talk with Elon Musk anytime soon, signaling their high-profile feud over a sweeping Republican tax-cut and spending bill shows no signs of easing.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he wasn’t ‘thinking about’ Musk but wished Tesla’s CEO well, adding, “We'll take a look at everything” regarding Musk’s extensive government contracts. A White House official indicated Trump might even get rid of the red Tesla Model S he bought earlier this year.
Musk, meanwhile, has openly criticized the tax bill, calling it a ‘disgusting abomination’ on his social-media platform X, warning it would damage Republicans politically and add trillions to the national debt. He also called for a new political party ‘to represent the 80% in the middle.’
Though insiders say Musk’s anger is cooling and he may seek reconciliation, the White House maintained a firm stance, dismissing Musk’s criticism and threatening a review of his government contracts, which include SpaceX and Starlink.
The feud escalated after Musk’s ally Jared Isaacman’s NASA nomination was withdrawn, reportedly after White House personnel director Sergio Gor raised concerns about Isaacman’s political donations. Musk had clashed with Gor earlier over hiring delays.
Tesla’s stock rebounded somewhat on Friday after a historic 14% drop the previous day, which wiped out $150 billion in market value—the largest single-day loss in Tesla’s history.
Investor James Fishback urged Musk to apologize, stating, “President Trump has shown grace and patience at a time when Elon’s behavior is disappointing and frankly downright disturbing.”
Trump’s tax bill narrowly passed the House last month but faces an uncertain fate in the Senate, where Republicans plan changes. Nonpartisan analysts estimate the bill could add $2.4 trillion to the debt over 10 years.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has been in contact with Musk, expressed hope the dispute resolves quickly, saying, “I don’t argue with him about how to build rockets, and I wish he wouldn’t argue with me about how to craft legislation.”
With the midterm elections approaching, the prolonged conflict could complicate Republican efforts to maintain control of Congress, especially if Musk and other Silicon Valley leaders scale back political support.
Musk, who has spent nearly $300 million on elections recently, has also said he plans to cut political spending and urged voters to “fire all politicians who betrayed the American people” in next year’s polls.
This bitter showdown highlights the challenges of merging business magnates into political arenas, with the future of Musk’s involvement in Trump’s agenda uncertain as tensions simmer.